[Risk factors associated with acne keloidalis nuchae, in black subjects: A case-control study]

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Acne keloidalis nuchae (AKN) is a common inflammatory scalp condition.
• Identifying risk factors is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify risk factors associated with acne keloidalis nuchae (AKN).

Main Methods:

• A case-control study was conducted with 101 AKN patients and 202 controls.
• Data was collected from dermatology clinics in Lomé, Togo, between January and December 2018.
• Multivariate analysis was used to determine associated factors.

Main Results:

• Excess weight or obesity significantly increased AKN risk (OR=4.8-9.2).
• Bleeding during hairdressing (OR=13.9-22.1), infrequent hairdressing (OR=10.1), and close hair cropping (OR=4.9) were strongly associated with AKN.
• Common AKN lesions included papules, fibrous scars, and folliculitis/pustules.

Conclusions:

• Obesity, bleeding during hairdressing, and specific hairdressing styles (infrequent or close cropping) are significant risk factors for AKN.
• Preventive measures should focus on minimizing injury during hairdressing and avoiding aggressive hair cropping.
• Early identification of risk factors is key for AKN prevention due to management challenges.